Comic book fans rejoice, for this year’s Free Comic Book Day is very nearly upon us! Set for Saturday, May 6th, FCBD will give fans all over the country a brand new selection of 12 Gold Sponsor comics from the industry’s most popular publishers, along with another 38 Silver Sponsor titles. Free Comic Book Day is the comic book industry’s most anticipated event, which happens in the first week of May each and every year.
According to a statement from FCBD spokesperson Michael Moccio, “Free Comic Book Day is one of the most celebrated days in the industry. When so many people introduce family and friends to comics and their local comic shop for the first time, it’s important the titles reflect that varied interests of people coming to stores. We believe this is going to be one of the best Free Comic Book Days yet and we’re excited for everyone to experience it!”
Below is listing of each of the 12 Gold comics from the top tier publisher, along with contents and covers for each issue. Beneath it, we also have the titles for the 38 Silver comic books, along with cover images for each of those down below in our gallery.
Archie Comics | Betty & Veronica #1 FCBD 2017 Edition
(W) Adam Hughes (A) Adam Hughes, Jose Villarrubia, Jack Morelli (CA) Adam Hughes
“IT’S BETTY VS. VERONICA! Betty and Veronica are America’s sweethearts… until they turn on each other! “Pops’ Chocklit Shoppe is being taken over by a huge coffee company. When Betty and Veronica go head-to-head over the issue, all bets are off! Friendships will shatter. Cities will burn. Nails will be broken. Betty and Veronica are back in this ALL-NEW #1 from comics legend Adam Hughes!”
With Riverdale currently one of the hottest shows on television, this is one comic you’ll want to snatch up before it disappears!
Bongo Comics | Bongo Comics Free-For-All FCBD 2017 Edition
(W/A/CA) Matt Groening
“Get in line for the foremost Free Comic Book Day four-color giveaway of the year! When Bart injures his back and has to use a rolling backpack, he turns weakness into strength as the “Leader of the Backpack Pack.” Then, Homer and Bart pull an all-nighter and put themselves on high alert to prevent a potential home invasion. Rod and Todd Flanders get separated from Ned Flanders in downtown Springfield and find themselves on an odyssey fraught with many mostly imagined dangers. All that and much, much more, and it’s all free!”
The Simpsons remain as popular as ever, and their creator Matt Groening brings it every year with a new Bongo title.
Boom! Studios | Boom! Studios Summer Blast FCBD 2017 Edition
(W/A) David Petersen & Various (CA) Kyla Vanderklugt
BOOM! Studios Summer Blast is jam-packed with three stories of mice, monsters, and one supernatural punk band. In an original Archaia short story of David Petersen’s Mouse Guard, a pair of youngfurs learn a lesson from a grizzled guardmouse on what it means to be a hunter. Next, get a sneak peek of the upcoming KaBOOM! series Brave Chef Brianna. To prove herself as a great chef, Brianna starts her own restaurant… but the only town she can afford to set up shop in is Monster City! Finally, the Lumberjanes introduce your new favorite BOOM! Box series Coady and the Creepies. Coady and her sisters are members of a band heading for the gig of their lives… so long as no one realizes that Coady is actually a ghost!
Dark Horse Comics | James Cameron’s Avatar/Briggsland FCBD 2017 Edition
(W) Sherri Smith, Brian Wood (A) Doug Wheatley, Werther Dell’Edera
“Return to the wilds of Pandora and the world of the Nav’i from James Cameron’s groundbreaking film Avatar as Jake Sully connects with the flying Toruk, the majestic Great Leonopteryx, by remembering the depth of his bond with his twin brother and great partnerships of history and legend. Also included in this issue: Set in a secessionist community in rural America, Grace Briggs is trying to guide her family peacefully through trying times. But when confronted with armed milita running an opioid ring on her land, she must take commanding steps. Briggs Land is currently in development for television at AMC.”
Between attractions as Disney World and four new sequels on the horizon, this is step one in a huge return for all things Avatar.
DC Comics | DC Comics Gold Book FCBD 2017 Edition
(Writer) Greg Rucka, (Artist) Nicola Scott
“New York Times best-selling writer Greg Rucka and fan-favorite artist Nicola Scott weave the definitive and shocking tale of Diana’s first year as Earth’s protector. Paradise has been breached, Ares stirs, and the Amazons must answer with a champion of their own…one who is willing to sacrifice her home amongst her sisters to save a world she has never seen. Wonder Woman’s journey begins in this epic origin story!”
With Wonder Woman finally getting her own feature film, this is the perfect entry point for new fans to enter her ongoing series.
IDW Publishing | Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Broken FCBD 2017 Edition
(W) Scott Tipton, David Tipton (A/CA) J. K. Woodward
“Space… The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the I.S.S. Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to conquer strange new worlds, to enslave new life and new civilizations… to boldly go where no one has gone before! Return to the Mirror Universe with the Next Generation crew in a way you’ve never seen them before in this prequel to the upcoming Star Trek: The Next Generation miniseries, Mirror Broken! Captain Jean-Luc Picard will stop at nothing to get his hands on the Terran Empire’s newest starship, the Enterprise-D. And no one had better stand in his way!”
This year is the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and this comic from IDW is the perfect way to celebrate the occasion.
Image Comics | I Hate Image Comics FCBD 2017 Edition
(W/A/CA) Skottie Young
“Gertrude has been stuck in Fairyland for decades when she finally hears of a secret passage that may be her way back home. But reaching it is easier said than done as she crosses the border into IMAGE where she’ll have to chop her way through you favorite characters from Saga, The Walking Dead, Savage Dragon, Spawn, Descender, Black Science, Southern Bastards, and any other character I can add to make sure the original art for this issue sends my children to college!”
Because of books like The Walking Dead and Saga, Image Comics has become the hottest publisher, with I Hate Fairyland gaining traction as their latest cult favorite.
Marvel Comics | FCBD Secret Empire 2017 Edition
(W) Nick Spencer (A) Andrea Sorrentino
“The Marvel Universe is under siege from the greatest threat it has ever known! Everything has been leading to this as Nick Spencer and Andrea Sorrentino bring the entire Marvel Universe together for the highly-anticipated SECRET EMPIRE series! UNITED THEY STAND against a common foe, the Avengers, the X-Men, the Defenders, the Champions, the Inhumans, Spider-Man and more must hold together as an unwavering front! Yet even their combined might may not be enough to withstand the awesome power of Hydra!
Then, after his globetrotting adventures Spider-Man has returned to his friendly neighborhood as Chip Zdarsky and Paulo Siqueira present a sneak peek at PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN! A new companion series to the best-selling Amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker is back in the Big Apple he’s brought the Ol’ Parker Luck with him! Don’t miss your first taste of this back-to-basics and high-flying ongoing series!”
Secret Empire is Marvel’s most controversial crossover event in years, and with this comic, you’ll be in on the ground floor.
Oni Press | Rick and Morty #1 FCBD 2017 Edition
(W) Zac Gorman, Tini Howard (A) CJ Cannon & Various (CA) Maximus Pauson
“Dan Harmon & Justin Roiland’s hilarious hit Adult Swim animated show Rick and Morty has its own critically-acclaimed comic book series from Oni Press! Join degenerate superscientist Rick Sanchez as he embarks on all-new insane adventures with his awkward grandson Morty, his teenage granddaughter Summer, his veterinary surgeon daughter Beth, and his hapless son-in-law Jerry. Catch up on their escapades with this special Free Comic Book Day issue, which includes the story that started it all: Part One of “The Wubba Lubba Dub Dub of Wall Street.” Plus, an exclusive first look at the upcoming miniseries Pocket Like You Stole It!”
Rick and Morty is Adult Swim’s biggest hit show in years (maybe ever?), so more misadventures from these two can only be a good thing.
Titan Comics | Doctor Who: Four Doctors Special FCBD 2017 Edition
TITAN COMICS
(W) Alex Paknadel (A) Mariano Laclaustra (CA) Photo
“Take a spin through the past, present, and future of Doctor Who universe, in the company of the twelfth Doctor and his brand-new companion, Bill! Featuring Bill’s first Titan Comics appearance, this all-new story is an unmissable experience for fans new and old, with plenty of tantalising teases from Doctors past and present, including incredible clues to the year ahead for all of Titan’s Doctor Who series! Keep your Sonic Screwdriver at the ready and unlock a world of adrenaline-fuelled time traveling adventure!”
Considering this issue is set to give hints to the future of Doctor Who, hardcore Whovians might want to be sure to snatch this one up fast.
Valiant Entertainment | X-O Manowar FCBD 2017 Edition
(W) Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire (A) Tomas Giorello & Various (CA) Tomas Giorello
“First: The biggest Valiant debut of all time begins with an all-new prelude to X-O Manowar from visionary storyteller Matt Kindt and blockbuster artists Tomas Giorello, Doug Braithwaite, Clayton Crain, Ryan Bodenheim, and Mico Suayan! Then, comics superstar Jeff Lemire begins the march toward Bloodshot Salvation with the first appearance of A Major New Character! Plus: Faith, Harbinger Renegade, Ninjak, Psi-Lords, Secret Weapons, Shadowman, and surprise revelations for Harbinger Wars 2!”
Is it the ’90s all over again? Valiant Comics hasn’t been this popular since their heyday in the grunge era, and X-O Manowar is at the forefront of all of it.
Viz Media | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess & Ocaraina of Time FCBD 2017 Edition
(W/A/CA) Akira Himekawa
“Once upon a time, wizards tried to conquer the Sacred Realm of Hyrule. The Spirits of Light sealed the wizards’ power within the Shadow Crystal and banished them to the Twilight Realm beyond the Mirror of Twilight. Now, an evil menace is trying to find Midna, Princess of the Twilight Realm, and the fragments of the Shadow Crystal to gain the power to rule over both the Twilight Realm and the World of Light. This FCBD special features excerpts from the manga adaptations of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.”
What did I say about the ’90s being back? Another property from that era poised for a huge comeback is The Legend of Zelda, and the folks at Viz Media shining a light on that world once more in all new adventures.
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2017 – SILVER COMICS
Action Lab | Miraculous: Tales Of Lady Bug And Cat Noir FCBD 2017 Edition
American Mythology | Underdog FCBD 2017 Edition
Antarctic Press | Steam Wars: Strike Leader FCBD 2017 Edition
Automatic Publishing | Looking Glass Wars: Crossfire FCBD 2017 Edition
Benitez Productions | Lady Mechanika FCBD 2017 Edition
BOOM! Studios | Fresh Off The Boat FCBD 2017 Edition
Chapterhouse | Captain Canuck: Year One FCBD 2017 Edition
Dark Horse Comics | Buffy: The High School Years /Plants Vs. Zombies FCBD 2017 Edition
DC Comics | DC Comics Silver Book FCBD 2017 Edition
Drawn & Quarterly | Guy Deslisle & Findakly/Trondheim Previews FCBD 2017 Edition
Drawn & Quarterly | Colorful Monsters FCBD 2017 Edition
Dynamite Entertainment | Animal Jam FCBD 2017 Edition
Epicenter Comics | Tex: Patagonia FCBD 2017 Edition
Fantagraphics Publishing | World’s Greatest FCBD 2017 Edition
Humanoids | The Incal FCBD 2017 Edition
IDW Publishing| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2017 Edition
Image Comics | Kid Savage, Chapter One FCBD 2017 Edition
Kodansha | Attack on Titan FCBD 2017 Edition
Lion Forge Comics | Catalyst Prime: The Event FCBD 2017 Edition
Marvel Comics | FCBD Classified 2017 Edition
New England Comics Press | The Tick FCBD 2017 Edition
Nobrow | Hilda’s Back! FCBD 2017 Edition
Oni Press | Bad Machinery FCBD 2017 Edition
Papercutz| Barbie FCBD 2017 Edition
Papercutz| The Loud House FCBD 2017 Edition
Rebellion | 2000 AD 40th Anniversary Special FCBD 2017 Edition
Red 5 Comics |Keyzer Soze/The Rift FCBD 2017 Edition
Scholastic | Graphix Spotlight: Time Shifters FCBD 2017 Edition
Titan Comics | Monster High FCBD 2017 Edition Tokyopop | Disney Descendants FCBD 2017 Edition
Udon Entertainment | Street Fighters Vs. Wrestlers Special #1 FCBD 2017 Edition
United | Spongebob Freestyle Funnies FCBD 2017 Edition
Viz Media | Dragon Ball Super/Boruto FCBD 2017 Edition
Youneek Studios | Malika: Warrior Queen Chapter One FCBD 2017 Edition
Z2 Comics | The Ballad Of Franklin Bonniesteel FCBD 2017 Edition
Zenoscope Entertainment | Grimm Fairy Tales FCBD 2017 Edition
For more FCBD news and updates, visit www.freecomicbookday.com and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/freecomicbook, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/freecomicbook, or Instagram at www.instagram.com/freecomicbookday.
Which of this year’s Free Comic Book Day offerings has you the most excited? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below!
Images: Free Comic Book Day / Butch Hartman
